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SECTION 4. SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF MAJOR CONCERNS 



Summarizing the major interests and concerns of the witnesses, as ex- 

 pressed in the replies to the first five questions, a number of fac- 

 tors were demonstrated, as described in the ensuing paragraphs. 



The primary interests of the speakers were: the estuary as a source 

 of food, the estuary as an ecosystem, and the estuary as a locus for 

 leisure activity. The estuary also serves as a protective barrier 

 against storms and flooding, and it helps to modify the climate. It 

 is a source of commercial resources — harbors for shipping, fish and 

 shellfish for food, minerals for industry, and water for human and 

 industrial use. 



For these reasons, the estuarine environment is considered a good 

 place to live and work. 



An additional use of the estuary is as a natural laboratory to in- 

 crease understanding and knowledge of its biota and other features. 



Accordingly, concern was expressed over any activity or phenomenon 

 that acts to destroy the values of the estuary, and over the result- 

 ant damages. 



The major worry was pollution of all kinds, and especially inade- 

 quately treated municipal, industrial, and vessel wastes. 



